Sunday, April 19, 2009

Getting Ready for the Draft

Now that Miles Austin and Sam Hurd have run out of time to sign a contract with a new team the Cowboys have a more settled situation at wide receiver. With both players returning the Cowboys will go in to next season hoping to cash in on the time spent developing both players. The good news is that having both players leaves the Cowboys in a position to draft the best available player each time their turn comes up next weekend.

There are still obvious needs at several positions, but the Cowboys have at least locked up potential starters at all positions. So with eleven picks slated for next week they find themselves with options. The worst way to go into a draft is to feel like a particular position has to be filled at all costs. That tends to lead a team to reach for a player too early in the draft process. The Cowboys can let the draft unfold in front of them and make their move without any additional pressures.

I still believe the needs are safety, speed receiver, cornerback, developmental quarterback, inside linebacker, offensive line, outside linebacker, and defensive tackle...not necessarily in that order. I think if they take the highest player on their draft board throughout the draft and maybe move up once or twice if a highly rated player slips then the draft will yield excellent results. The great news is that even if they fail to draft a player at any of the positions I mentioned then they are at least in decent shape for next season. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year's draft will be as successful as last year's draft.

8 comments:

Running back and tight end are really the only places we don't need to draft. I'd say our biggest needs are safety and defensive tackle. This draft should just be about taking the best player as you said.

We replaced Owens with Williams. Boldin and Williams are the same kind of reciever anyways, we need a speed WR. And what exactly would we trade for Boldin? If it took a first and third to get Williams, wouldn't it take the same for Boldin? This isn't Madden 09.

The success or failure of this years draft hinges on the production of Roy Williams. I wasn't a fan of Williams in Detroit or the trade that brought him to Dallas. And sadly, had Jones not pushed the panic button last year, the Cowboys would be in a position to trade for Boldin this year. That said, you might aim at a position at 51, but past that...best available player. I'm guessing JJ will wheel and deal and position for some mid round strength next year. Prediction: seven picks, none higher than 45.

James Laurinaitis is a player that I hope they take a hard look at. I think he has the tools to be a great linebacker. Unless he's off the board or they can find a safety, they should think hard about him.

I agree about Laurinaitis...his name just keeps coming up when I look at the draft coverage. He looks like a good fit for the defense. I would be happy if he ended up in Dallas. I could see him starting next to Bradie James by the end of the season if Brooking has lost a step. I try not to get fixated on any particular players before the draft so I don't end up disappointed but he looks awfully good.

Laurinaitis...LSU ran right at him last year with great success. So did Illinois. He's not a big hitter, and while he's real good pursuing to the sidelines,he runs around a lot of blocks. Works in college, but ILBs in the pros have to take on and shed blocks. 4.8 40 in the combine doesn't impress. He was hyped to be in the 4.6 range. Lot's of stats, but he piled them up in a real weak Big 10. But he's said to be a steal in the second round...so I'm probably just having a Bobby Carpenter flashback...